Exploring Place

Beach-combing

Appreciating Nature and Connecting to Place 

Current research reveals the importance of connecting young people to nature and current studies also show the importance of getting to know and coming to appreciate local natural places. Local walks offer a wealth of historical, scientific and artistic opportunity. Here are some pics of a local walk we did from Aspendale to St Kilda on Sundays, starting every week where we had left off.

The Ancient Yarra River with Bunjils     Boonwurrung Blossom

Eggs Romanis, Black Rock.                Ellen Jose, Beaumaris

The eggs represent the six traditional   Bluestone on crushed   

groups of the Boonwurrung people.        Ochre.

Every weekend a new adventure. http://www.bayside.vic.gov.au/things_to_see_and_do/walksandtrails.htm

Sowing the Seed is Back!

Welcome to the new Sowing the Seed!

The philosophy remains the same. Sowing the Seed sets out to inform and communicate sustainable practices, initiatives and education for sustainability concepts. The new Sowing the Seed aims to share local and global contemporary sustainability practices and events. So jump aboard the sustainability train heading towards a more ethical and sustainable world!

Happy Spring

This cute little book promised I would have a gorgeous blanket made by the end of winter...as you can see I have a fair bit to go! 

 

However, Spring is finally here and it's time to put away the patchwork and go outside!!!!!

Spring weather also brings more opportunity to get the kids experiencing the outdoors. Our amazing local park in Chelsea was packed today full of happy kids enjoying the fresh air. Find the link here:
http://www.melbourneplaygrounds.com.au/melbourneplaygrounds-info.php?id=19516

Connecting kids with nature offers opportunity for creating childhood memories and this cute movie reminds us of this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4OSOAdpoAE

These beautiful Freishas were collected by my kids from the vacant block at the end of our road. Freishas are nature's way of welcoming us into Spring and when they arrive we know the nights will get lighter and the weather warmer.  Their scent is so delightful and a strong reminder of childhood. 

Starting work at a new school this week was exciting as teaching sustainable practices to our younger generation is something I feel very passionate about. To welcome in the new season we made herb bread and it was enjoyed all around. Ingredients were picked fresh from the garden.  Here is what we did.

Easy Herb Bread

Mint

Oregano

Parsley

Or any herbs you have in the garden

Margarine or butter

Baguette

Method

• Mix butter and herbs

• Slice bread (not all the way through)

• Place some butter on each slice

• Place in the oven on medium for 5 minutes

Enjoy!

HAPPY SPRING!!!

Container Gardening with kids

My partner is a landscaper and spends his days beautifying other people's gardens, but when it comes to his own garden, typically he is often gardened out! My garden helpers have waited patiently for him to build some boxes for their seedlings. As they (and the plants) could wait no longer we decided to look around for something to recycle and use as a planter for their very rootbound seedlings.

I have noticed that kids love tending their own patch and take pride in their part of the garden, no matter how small. They are also inclined to eat what they have grown. Container Gardening is an easy solution and kids can grow vegetables almost anywhere including balconies and window sills.
 
We found this old plastic storage box for our littlest garden helper, whose favourite colour happens to be pink. We simply washed it, drilled some holes in the bottom, filled it with potting mix and organic compost and began to plant.

  

We mounted the container on some old bricks to help with drainage. The beauty of Container Gardens is that you can move them around to chase the sun. 

Part two of this chapter is in progress. Happy gardening!

Procrastination Food from the Garden

As a student in my early twenties I loved uni, however always looked for ways to avoid study. One of my procrastination hobbies was cooking and today twenty years later I am doing the same thing! Today I made yummy Lemon Butter. If you are lucky enough to have a lemon tree or a friend with a lemon tree you will be bombarded with juicy lemons this time of year. This Lemon Butter recipe is easy and fairly quick. It is also a great spread for toast for a late night study snack. Enjoy!

Ingredients: 
4 Eggs
3/4 cup of castor sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 teaspoon finely grated rind
125 grams chopped butter
Method:
Place the eggs and sugar into a heatproof bowl
Place bowl over the pan of barely simmering water and whisk constantly until the sugar is dissolved
Add lemon juice, lemon rind and butter
Whisk mixture for 20mins until it is smooth and the butter is melted and thick enough to cover the spoon
Pour into sterilised jars and place in the fridge.

National Tree Day was fun and Isla and I planted on Saturday at Braeside Park and on Sunday at Mordialloc Creek. We really enjoyed being part of such a fantastic event and contributing to our community. By the end of a weekend Isla was an expert tree planter!


We also met the 'Friends of Braeside Park' and were invited along to the next Annual General Meeting which is on Sunday the 12th August 2012. The meeting will take place at the visitors centre and will be followed by a presentation by Dr Terry Anderson (South East Water) on "Braesides Murky Past" followed by afternoon tea at 4PM. Should be an interesting afternoon and all welcome. The friends of Braeside also have a Spring Walk planned for 23rd September from 2-4pm.


Moridalloc Creek also have a "Friends of.." group. Both the Mordialloc Creek and Braeside groups are small and would benefit from some added support. We have some beautiful natural landmarks in the City of Kingston and in Victoria and in my opinion they seem under utilised and unappreciated at times. It seems like now may be a good time to contribute to the secure future of these landmarks  and other landmarks like them. Feel like jumping on the nature wagon? Come aboard.....you wont regret it!

Sustainability and the National Curriculum

The new National Curriculum for Australia is being rolled out and should be in action in all Australian schools by 2013. The implementation of a new curriculum means yet another change for teachers to get their head around and have meetings about.
The new curriculum does however offer some positive changes and opportunities for teaching including the implementation of three important cross curricular subjects:  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and culture, Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia and Sustainability. To view the crosscurricular subjects go to The Australian Curriculum website: http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/CrossCurriculumPriorities
The Framework for Sustainability, which is a great resource and support document can be found at http://www.environment.gov.au/education/publications/curriculum-framework.html

Scootle is also an amazing digital resource site and Sustainability resources can be accessed at http://www.scootle.edu.au/ec/search?q=sustainability&Submit=Search&field=title&field=keyword.text&field=description&field=id&field=topics.all.text. 

Assisting the younger generation in questioning and problem solving the many issues we face as a planet has the potential to promote behavioral changes that support sustainability. It is great that Sustainability is being fully recognised and addressed in the curriculum and lets hope that teachers and schools get on board in a positive and wholehearted way.